Chronic food insecurity, protracted competition and conflicts over natural resources such as pasture and water for their livestock and occasionally unwarranted loss of human life because of increased frequency of drought has been the order of pastoral communities in the IGAD region, attributed to effects of climate change. Moreover, increasing human population results in additional food demand, including for animal source foods, in particular driven by growing urban populations with increasing incomes.
Livestock has been noted as one of the drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector on the African continent (accounting for about 9% of total emissions in SSA) and have significant potential for contribution to mitigation efforts. Compounding the situation, unsustainable use of natural resources can result in land degradation and water scarcity, jeopardizing the viability of livestock production itself. These vulnerabilities are compounded not only by the uncertainties of climate change, but also by the potential for shocks and disturbances related to disease spread and price fluctuations.
There is need to address the growing demand for animal products in a way that supports smallholder livestock-based livelihoods, improve the resilience, and ensure sustainable use of the natural resources. IGAD and World Bank therefore collaborated on the development of regional strategy on resilient and sustainable livestock to effects of climate change.
Data was collected in each IGAD MS, including Somalia, by national consultants. Collected data focused on national policies, strategies and programs for adaptation and mitigation measures aimed at building resilient and sustainable livestock to the effects of climate change. Validation of Somalia national report was done on May 26th 2022 instead of initially planned 11th May, 2022 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Mr Mohamed Omar, Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Livestock, Range and Forestry (MoLFR), officially opened the one-day workshop meeting. Dr. Pierre Gerber and Wamalwa Kinyanjui made welcome remarks on behalf of WBG and ICPALD respectively. The national data will be integrated into the IGAD regional strategy for resilient and sustainable livestock to effects of climate change. The strategy will be an important tool for coordination of stakeholders, advocacy, resource mobilization, investment and implementation. The meeting was attended by 18 participants from Ministries, University of Somalia, SOMREP and IGAD as well as WBG team members (2 participants) who attended virtually. Of the 18 participants, 1(5%) was female.
We thank the government of Somalia for collaborating in the assessment and validation, and World Bank for supporting this action.
